Verona High School senior rejuvenates greenhouse

Verona High School typically cultivates education and learning within its walls, but a few students decided to start growing something else in addition to their studies.

Verona High School senior Lucas Freschi carries some supplies in the greenhouse he helps run on Monday, Nov. 18.

After years of sitting dormant, senior Lucas Freschi revitalized the school's greenhouse. Located behind room No. 21, near the library and overseeing the courtyard, the verdant sanctuary now features a wide variety of vegetables and other plants.

Freschi, 17, and classmate Nik Bostrom, 16, put their green thumbs to use at the beginning of the school year. Freschi said he learned how to care for a greenhouse while working at Sprout Food and Farms in Verona for a year, and also developed an interest because of his brother's college studies of sustainable agriculture.

While he originally hoped to begin his own environmental project last year, Freschi said life as an 11th-grader was too hectic. This September, however, he got to work.

When Bostrom heard about the activities of his friend, he said he immediately asked Freschi if he could "bring in plants and grow stuff."

Some squash seeds hit the dirt first at the greenhouse, according to Freschi, and other vegetables grown in the area include green beans, radishes, broccoli, carrots, and enough ingredients to fill a spice rack. The senior said they grew enough lettuce to feed his family of four, his girlfriend's relatives and his grandma.

"That was a pretty serious yield," Freschi said of the greenery, adding that it's easy to taste the difference compared to the store-bought counterparts.

Aside from a few unsuccessful attempts over the past decade, Freschi said the last person to actively run the greenhouse was current Board of Education Vice President Michael Unis when he was in high school. Unis said he's "thrilled" to see the rejuvenation of the area now, and sees it as an example of an inspired student and the community coming together to make something great.

Even though it's more occupied than over the past 10 years, Freschi and Bostrom are the only primary caretakers of the organic products, though they said some of their other peers occasionally visit to help out. Freschi estimated he spends about 15 hours a week at the greenhouse before and after school, plus during his study hall and lunch periods. The time does not include any weekend trips, though, as the school is locked up.

"That's just potting new plants, and tending to the old ones," he said of his work. "Sometimes I sit in here to give [the plants] company, because I guess they need it."

The greenhouse initiative falls under the umbrella of the school's environmental club, but Freschi has plans to expand. He said he hopes to contact the local School Community Association to ask for funds. The money would mostly be used for new seeds, soil and shelving, since now some of the plants are resting on wood held up by a stack of buckets and cinderblocks. Freschi said he also wishes to place compost bins around the high school, as it would provide all of the soil needed.

While Freschi will graduate this year, Bostrom will remain and said he hopes to keep up the tradition.

"I want to be able to use [the greenhouse] while I still have some time here, and then get some of my friends and underclassmen involved," Bostrom said. "It's a great tool that can be used and I don't think it should be taken for granted for 10 years."

Verona High School senior Lucas Freschi carries some supplies in the greenhouse he helps run on Monday, Nov. 18.

After years of sitting dormant, senior Lucas Freschi revitalized the school's greenhouse. Located behind room No. 21, near the library and overseeing the courtyard, the verdant sanctuary now features a wide variety of vegetables and other plants.

Freschi, 17, and classmate Nik Bostrom, 16, put their green thumbs to use at the beginning of the school year. Freschi said he learned how to care for a greenhouse while working at Sprout Food and Farms in Verona for a year, and also developed an interest because of his brother's college studies of sustainable agriculture.

While he originally hoped to begin his own environmental project last year, Freschi said life as an 11th-grader was too hectic. This September, however, he got to work.

When Bostrom heard about the activities of his friend, he said he immediately asked Freschi if he could "bring in plants and grow stuff."

Some squash seeds hit the dirt first at the greenhouse, according to Freschi, and other vegetables grown in the area include green beans, radishes, broccoli, carrots, and enough ingredients to fill a spice rack. The senior said they grew enough lettuce to feed his family of four, his girlfriend's relatives and his grandma.

"That was a pretty serious yield," Freschi said of the greenery, adding that it's easy to taste the difference compared to the store-bought counterparts.

Aside from a few unsuccessful attempts over the past decade, Freschi said the last person to actively run the greenhouse was current Board of Education Vice President Michael Unis when he was in high school. Unis said he's "thrilled" to see the rejuvenation of the area now, and sees it as an example of an inspired student and the community coming together to make something great.

Even though it's more occupied than over the past 10 years, Freschi and Bostrom are the only primary caretakers of the organic products, though they said some of their other peers occasionally visit to help out. Freschi estimated he spends about 15 hours a week at the greenhouse before and after school, plus during his study hall and lunch periods. The time does not include any weekend trips, though, as the school is locked up.

"That's just potting new plants, and tending to the old ones," he said of his work. "Sometimes I sit in here to give [the plants] company, because I guess they need it."

The greenhouse initiative falls under the umbrella of the school's environmental club, but Freschi has plans to expand. He said he hopes to contact the local School Community Association to ask for funds. The money would mostly be used for new seeds, soil and shelving, since now some of the plants are resting on wood held up by a stack of buckets and cinderblocks. Freschi said he also wishes to place compost bins around the high school, as it would provide all of the soil needed.

While Freschi will graduate this year, Bostrom will remain and said he hopes to keep up the tradition.

"I want to be able to use [the greenhouse] while I still have some time here, and then get some of my friends and underclassmen involved," Bostrom said. "It's a great tool that can be used and I don't think it should be taken for granted for 10 years."